Early blight of tomato (Alternaria solani ) – identify and control

early-blight-of-tomato

Early blight of tomato, Alternaria solani, is frequently manifested in field crops and polyhouses, where it causes significant damage.

SymptomsEarly blight of tomato

Plants can be attacked in all stages of development, the disease affects all aerial plant organs. In the nursery, the attack is manifested by elongated, irregular-looking, dark brown spots that cover the basal part of the stem all around. The most common symptoms of the disease manifest on the leaves starting from the basal ones and progressing to the upper ones. Isolated, circular, brown, concentrically zoned spots appear on the leaves. Under favorable conditions, the spots join and occupy large portions of the leaves, which dry out.

On the stems, petioles and flower stalks appear concentric ovoid spots, blackish-brown. The attack on the fruit is more frequent around the peduncle, where at first appear small, circular spots, sunken in the tissue. With time, they become blackish, glossy, and show the concentric zonation specific to the attack. On the surface of the attacked tissues appear the asexual fructification of the fungus represented by conidiophores with conidia.

The pathogen is Alternaria solani. Transmission from one year to another is done through conidia and resistance mycelium. Under these forms, the fungus hibernates inside the residues of the affected plants. The spread of the pathogen during the vegetation period is made through conidia. The summertime drought and warmth are both factors that highly influence the Alternaria diseases.

Prevention and control. It is recommended to collect and destroy the remains of attacked plants, use healthy seedlings, rotate the crop.
During the vegetation period, treatments with specific fungicides are recommended.

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Early blight of tomato (Alternaria solani ) – identify and control
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